Physical abuse is when someone hurts a child or young person on purpose, causing a non-accidental physical injury to a child.
Examples of physical abuse are:
- Hitting, slapping, shaking or throwing
- Burning or scalding
- Drowning, suffocating or choking
- Pushing or kicking
- Inappropriate restraint or false imprisonment
- Using physical force to discipline
- Misusing medication
- Fabricating or inducing an illness or ill health
Signs and symptoms of physical abuse in children can include:
- Unexplained recurrent injuries, marks or burns
- Covering injuries with clothing even in hot weather
- Fear of physical contact and shrinking back if touched
